‘Jersey Shore’: Who Owns The Shore House?

When Jersey Shorefirst premiered in 2009, it almost immediately became a phenomenon. The show followed eight housemates living in a vacation home together as they partied over the summer. Even though the show drew controversy because they perpetuated Italian-American stereotypes, it is still one of the highest watched shows in reality television history. People were saying GTL (gym, tan, laundry), fist pumping in the clubs, and almost everyone dressed up as Snooki for Halloween.

Jersey Shore Cast | Photo by Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty Images

Who owns the Shore House and allowed it to be used for the show?

How the Owner was Introduced to ‘Jersey Shore’

Danny Merk is the owner of the Jersey Shore house and the Shore Store. The housemates worked at the boardwalk store when they were not in the gym, tanning, or doing laundry. Danny explains to Vulture magazine that he was interviewed for about two months until they paid him to move his stuff out in 24 hours. He paid the housemates $20 an hour to work at the store, even though some of them were not good employees. On one memorable Jersey Shore episode, Snooki and Deena actually hid from Danny so they wouldn’t have to work.

Danny recalls seeing groups of people walking around his back deck and knocking on the front door after season one aired. Although he felt like his house was now a “museum,” he profited off the success by selling catch-phrase branded items at his Shore Store. The “Yeah Buddy” and “Don’t Fall in Love at the Jersey Shore” were the most popular merchandise to be sold.

Owner of ‘Jersey Shore’ House Affected By Hurricane Sandy

Danny Merk owns Halloween shops in Florida in addition to his Seaside Heights properties. When Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, it took out his two Florida stores a few days before Halloween. He ended up losing a lot of money, only to turn around and his Seaside Heights store hit by the same storm.

The Jersey Shore house was able to withstand the winds, but the Shore Store was not as lucky. The store’s doors were damaged allowing for water to get in. Most of his store was filled with water and it destroyed the majority of his products.

‘Jersey Shore’ House Available To Rent

Instead of sitting on the balcony outside, anyone is now allowed to rent the Jersey Shore house and have their own vacation. It is listed for $2,900 a night up to $6,500 during the summer. A three-night vacation at the Jersey Shore house during Fourth of July or Memorial Day costs a little over $15,000. The description of the house reads as follows:

A once in a lifetime opportunity to have your Graduation, Sweet Sixteen, After Prom, Bachelor or Birthday party in one of the hottest properties in the country before the cast returns for the next season of the Jersey Shore. Live like Snooki, Pauly D, Mike “The Situation,” and the rest of the cast.